Notes and artwork were posted to the windows of the Red Deer Public Schools head office on March 3. (Black and Indigenous Alliance)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

sides will meet face to face

Silent protest calls out school division over Pride Week decision

Mar 5, 2021 | 11:32 AM

A series of protests outside Red Deer Public Schools’ head office is happening this week in response to a board decision last month to not approve a division-wide Pride Week.

Central Alberta-based Black and Indigenous Alliance (BIA) and its supporters are sharing their disapproval with the move by trustees to instead approve a Diversity Week, a move BIA equates with saying, “All Lives Matter,” a phrase anti-racism groups have come to agree is racist.

The group is staging seven days of protests that began Wednesday with attendees posting notes and artwork on the windows and doors of the school division’s office.

“Protesters placed signs, posters, heart-shaped messages and other drawings at the entrance of the Central Services building,” says Bruce Buruma, Red Deer Public Schools spokesperson. “All items were removed, but retained, to be shared with the board of trustees. A colourful chalk design was also drawn on the sidewalk at the front entrance which has been left in place.”

(Black and Indigenous Alliance)

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Buruma says trustees have agreed to meet with individuals in a closed session at their next board meeting March 10. In a statement, BIA confirms their members are scheduled to meet with the school board that day.

The school division clarifies BIA reached out prior to the protests asking if the two sides could meet. The division agreed to the request ahead of the protests.

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Police were on-site Wednesday, “to ensure everything went smoothly,” Buruma says, adding the detachment was aware of the protests in advance and reached out to the division.

“Regarding the approved motion, the board of trustees has read and listened to significant feedback on this decision and recognizes the perspectives expressed on this matter across our community.”

Buruma wouldn’t say if reconsideration is on the table, though Board Chair Nicole Buchanan acknowledged to rdnewsNOW last month they’re aware there is concern about Diversity Week happening during what’s internationally recognized as Pride Month.

“Our goal is to ultimately put pressure on the Red Deer Public school board to do what is right, to protect, amplify, and recognize the QTBIPOC, and 2Spirit, LGBTQIA+ students and families that attend the schools in their division,” says Callum Daniels, BIA founder. “While the idea of diversity and inclusion presents as a positive idea that seems inclusive in theory, these initiatives are actually harmful to marginalized groups.”

Despite what many may believe to be true, he says diversity and inclusion aren’t the same thing.

“Diversity is the practice of including people from a different range of social, ethnic backgrounds, genders and/or sexual orientations,” he explains. “Inclusion is the practice of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for marginalized peoples.”

Daniels says rejecting the proposed Pride Week neglects the history, legacy and importance of the Pride movement, and diminishes issues unique to the Queer community. He believes the board’s decision goes against its own Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) policy.

(Black and Indigenous Alliance)

Daniels calls the opportunity to speak directly with trustees is an important one.

Protests are planned to be recurring each day through March 9 from 3-5 p.m. On March 5, the protest will again be silent, on March 6, attendees will give out educational information to passers-by, and on March 7 and 8, the protests will encourage making noise, according to a press release. The finale on March 9 is billed as a party to celebrate Pride.

BIA is working with several other groups to promote their message, including Ponoka Pride & Community GSA, Indigenous Peoples for Equality, Badlands Pride Association, Be the Change Drumheller, Red Deer Queer Community, Safe Harbour Society, Trans and Non-Binary Aid Society (TANAS), Spruce Grove GSA, and MLA Janis Irwin.

Author’s note: QTBIPOC stands for Queer, Transgender, Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour. LGBTQ+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, while a variation with ‘I’ and ‘A’ stands for Intersex and Asexual.